Optimum Online Rips Us Off Again!

Just checked my cable/internet/phone bill and there’s a message saying they’re increasing the charge for internet (Optimum Online) $5.00, making it $50.00 now. The reason for the rate increase: “an extensive network upgrade to deliver on average more than 100% of the speeds we advertise.” And also, “the continuing expansion of free WiFi provided by Optimum hotspots to help you avoid paying expensive data charges on wireless devices.”

Okay, so I’m paying for the network upgrade. Shouldn’t Optimum upgrade their network in order to stay competitive and prevent customers from switching to FIOS? And if that is the case, the last thing they should be doing is charging the customers that they don’t want to lose in the first place. Oh and those hotspots? They’re supposed to a FREE perk for Optimum customers. It says so right on the very same bill that I was allowed to view only AFTER viewing the message about the rate increase. Right next to the $50 charge for Optimum Online it says, “includes free WiFi.” How can you charge money for something that is FREE? Now they want to charge every customer an additional $5 for these hotspots, even if they’re never used? First of all, I already pay a fixed rate of $50.00 for a Verizon data plan, which is more secure and reliable than Optimum’s hotspots, and I never even come close to using the 5 GB that I have to pay for anyway. $5 for every customer — that translates into millions of dollars in pure profits for this rip-off cable provider. They are always looking for ways to jack up their rates and the excuses are feeble.•